On February 4, in Laishevo municipal region, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov took part in a ceremony of technical launching of the first production line of polymer compounds at the Khimtekh Regional Engineering Center.

Director of the Department of Small and Medium Business and Competition of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Natalia Larionova, CEO of the Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises in Science and Technology Sergey Polyakov, CEO of the Association of Innovative Regions of Russia Ivan Bortnik and other officials took part in the event.

The Khimtekh is the third engineering center in Tatarstan after the KAI-Laser Eidos centers, Minnikhanov said, speaking at the event.

“Polymer compounds will be produced at this site established with the support of Ministry of Economic Development and I am sure that it is a promising project,” Minnikhanov said. He also reminded that Tatarstan is the largest producer of plastics in the country.

Natalia Larionova, in her turn, said that Tatarstan today is the most visited region in terms of opening of new production facilities, engineering centers. According to her, the establishment of such sites is a response to the challenges of the modern world, the possibility of co-operation, creation of production facilities for import substitution.
Establishing engineering centers remains a priority in our work, Natalia Larionov said, adding that the programme will be continued in 2015.

Sergey Polyakov said that Tatarstan engineering centers may be an example of successful development of innovative platforms for other regions. According to him, such centers are generators of new companies and will be supported by the Foundation.